The Baylor Bears (1-1 overall, 1-1 Big 12) and Texas Longhorns (2-2, 1-2) meet at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. Below, we analyze the Baylor-Texas college football betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Baylor at Texas: Betting odds and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 4:42 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Baylor +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Texas -334 (bet $334 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Baylor +8.5 (-110) | Texas -8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Baylor at Texas: Three things to know
- Baylor is coming off a disappointing 27-21 loss in overtime at West Virginia on Oct. 3. The Bears have had some issues with opponents testing positive for COVID, then had positive tests inside their own program. They did not have positive tests this week among coaches or players, so this game is expected to be played.
- The Bears defense has been stout, allowing just 336.5 total yards (18th), 185.0 passing yards (15th) and 20.5 points allowed (17th) per game. Offensively, Baylor has been less than average, managing just 304.0 total yards per game (70th), while rushing for just 115.0 yards per outing (64th). Yet somehow, Baylor has come up with 34.0 PPG to check in at 26th in the country.
- Texas ranks No. 1 in the country, posting 49.5 PPG, including 53 allowed to Oklahoma last time out in a multiple-overtime thriller. The Longhorns are 1-1 SU/ATS at the DKR this season, although they have failed to cover three in a row overall, while the Over is a perfect 4-0 on the season.
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Baylor at Texas: Odds, prediction, betting lines and picks
Prediction
Texas 41, Baylor 38
Money line (ML)
Texas (-334) is looking to bounce back, but this is a dangerous game to try and pick a straight-up winner. Both sides have reasons to pick them to win outright, and both sides have reasons to avoid them like the plague. If anything, Baylor (+260) would be worth a small-unit play just because it’s a better value at plus-money. But the best way to go is playing the spread instead. AVOID the money line.
Against the spread (ATS)
BAYLOR +8.5 (-110) is a strong play, as it’s hard to envision this contest not being a one-possession game when the dust clears at the end of the afternoon. The Bears have a powerful offense, and the Longhorns have a very, very giving defense. Even if it seems like the Bears are out of it, they won’t be. This is one of those games bettors will think they’ve won and lost several times. Just relax until the final. That’s betting most Big 12 football in a nutshell.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 61.5 (-110) is the strongest play of all in this matchup. Baylor is averaging 34.0 PPG, and Texas is allowing 36.3 PPG. The Longhorns are also the highest-scoring offense in the land. Baylor QB Charlie Brewer and Texas QB Sam Ehlinger will hook up in a Texas-sized shootout.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional college football coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama football / Auburn football / Florida football / Georgia football / LSU football / Michigan football / Michigan State football / Notre Dame football / Ohio State football / Oklahoma football / Tennessee football / Texas football / USC football / Wisconsin football
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]